Original Item: Only One Available. Issued by the Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway), this is an excellent unissued yellow embroidered Bahnhofswache (Station Guard) armband. These were worn by the guards at railway stations, whether they were civilian or military, and the armband helped to identify them.
This is an excellent unissued condition embroidered example, which does not have any issue markings that we can see. We do not see any major wear or pinholes, so it does not look to have ever been used. There is only a bit of faint staining and age toning keeping this from being brand new. This lovely armband armband is a textbook Bevo-style machine embroidered armband, with very nice “Black Letter” typeface text on the exterior. Measures approximately 14 x 3 3/4 inches, and is sewn together in the back.
A very nice example, ready to display!
Nearly every military, civil, political and paramilitary organization in existence during the Third Reich used armbands. Armbands were worn on military and civilian uniforms and also on civilian clothes, from suit jackets to work clothing. They were used to denote membership in organizations, to indicate a specific role or function of the bearer, and as insignia of rank. Many organizations would change the design of their armbands over time, which added to the variety produced. These were manufactured in countless variations, ranging from simple printed bands to elaborately hand-embroidered pieces of the highest quality. Some NSDAP armbands were worn by all members of large organizations and were made by the millions. Others were intended for use at a specific time and place and were unique. Many types were made in very limited numbers. Some bore metal insignia or special identifiers that indicated the wearer’s rank, unit affiliation, or nationality. Armbands were sometimes but not always marked with ink stamps by the issuing authorities.